Need advice my son is scared of everything.

[mommy77]

My son is 7 yrs old.  He is scared of everything.  This is not something that just happened, it has been his whole life.  At this point in time, he will not sleep without a bright light in his room.  His closet has mirrored doors and I have had to hang curtains in order for him to go in his room.  We have tried everything we know to do.  Anyone out there got any advice.

[kameka]

Jan. 20, 2007 at 1:48 AM

Unfortunately I don't have any advice, but I can tell you that you're not alone.  My daughter overreacts to everything even remotely frightening.  Of course, she still likes to watch the scary parts of movies.  I don't get it. 

[Shathariel]

Jan. 20, 2007 at 5:27 AM some kids are just very sensitive. the dark bugs them, but for others its bright light. sometimes its loud noises, sometimes the true quiet. i'd just try to find what bothers him and work around it for a while, give him plenty of love and comfort, and try to talk about what worries him when he's calm and relaxed, and see if calm casual non condemning reasoning can help. understanding at least what bothers him can help lots, and if they can figure out the why, all the better.

[aireschick]

Jan. 20, 2007 at 8:44 PM

the only thing i can think of is..one for sleeping with the lights on slowly work him down to a smaller light...like take him to the store and let him pick out his own lamp for his bedroom, then start off with  a bright bulb like 60 and work your way down to i thnk the lowest is 20. it may take a while, but it might be an easy adjustment. i unfortunatly have always had a fear of the dark and it was bad when i was a kid, luckily i shared a room with my sis. so it made it easier. i still sleep with the bathroom or hallway light on...this is something he is probably always gonna have. Have you tried to figure out why he's scared....will he tell you? i dont think  i could help you with teh closet door with teh mirrors. keep hanging coverings over it till he tells you he doesnt want them, honestly if i had them and woke up in the middle of the night in complete dark i dont know how'd i feel looking into mirrors.....try not to make it a big deal if its not a big deal he may realize that it shouldnt be for him and slowly relax. i wish you all the luck on helping your son, and hope my rambling suggestions might help.

jamie

[mommy77]

Jan. 20, 2007 at 10:20 PM Thanks to all that has left comments.  I don't react to him about the lights.  I have the smallest lamp we could to put in there and have a energy saver bulb in it.  He doesn't know why he is scared.  He said the dark shadows just bother him.

(Original Poster)

[mamabliss]

Jan. 21, 2007 at 4:32 AM my daughter has been/can be like that at times. it started after a deeply disturbing incident when she was 3. i have has success with Bach flower essences. you can get single ones or if you can find a practitoner in your area, you can get a blend. i was blessed to find a classmate who was a practitioner.  the Bach website is http://www.bachflower.com/

[jmlsmom]

Jan. 29, 2007 at 11:45 PM i think this is a pretty normal stage my son was/is the same way if it wasnt to dark it was a thunderstorm or  he has just turned 8 and seems to be getting better of course the other day i bought him new curtins he says are "freaky" so i hope things get better for you i know how frusterating this can be GOOD LUCK

[rebedecka]

Feb. 1, 2007 at 6:12 PM when i was little i was scared of mirrors too, my mom just brought me in her bathroom and i watched her get ready, and i asked her to do my hair too and she said i would have to come in the bathroom in front of the mirror and then i realized i can just see myself, if you can find a way to get him in front of the mirrors and let him know its just so he can see himself maybe he wont be scared? and the lights, i would just try to work him down to a night light. good luck!